2026-2027 DEIB Chair: Morgan Sampson — diversity {at} lwptsa.net
The LWPTSA Council is committed to advocating for institutional and systemic changes that ensure equity, justice, respect and inclusion of all children. Council strives to be anti-discriminatory, inclusive and to welcome all voices. We are seeking to learn from our community, and grow as individuals and as an organization.
In May 2025, our council board voted to change the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee name to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB), to reflect the importance of belonging as a necessity for the well-being of all children. [Read about this change]
The LWPTSA DEIB Committee supports and helps educate DEIB chairs and leaders at our 44 local PTAs within LWSD. We embrace the overlapping aspects of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging with all other areas that LWPTSA Council supports, including special education, legislative advocacy, sustainability, emergency preparedness and PTA/PTSA programming.
Financial Equity Program
While all of our PTAs have a mission of supporting and enriching the educational opportunities and experiences in their communities, we recognize that there are varying levels of financial and volunteer resources accessible within those communities. As the larger community that encompasses all of the individual PTA communities, LWPTSA Council will work to facilitate the voluntary sharing of resources among local PTAs. Learn more about the Financial Equity Program and how to give and/or receive funds.
DEIB Committee Meetings
Council’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB) Committee meets virtually throughout the year. DEIB chairs and other interested PTA leaders are invited to discuss issues and advocacy initiatives that impact our students and families.
Meeting information for 2026-27 will be posted soon.
DEIB Connection Invitation
Across the globe, many communities are facing hardship and uncertainty and in these moments our PTSA stands together with compassion, reaffirming our dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We strive to nurture a community where all caregivers, students, and staff feel seen, valued, and supported. The well-being of our members matters deeply, and the students of our district are always our highest priority. We believe that by standing united, listening with empathy, and respecting our differences, we create the strongest foundation for every child to learn and thrive.
As part of this commitment, we are gathering perspectives from across the district. Please take a few moments to complete our DEIB survey,your input will help shape meaningful learning and guide future actions to better serve our entire community.
2025-2026 Meeting Documents
| Topic | Additional Info |
|---|---|
| Cornerstones of Ally Training Workshop with Dr. Courtney Wooten, Equity & Cross-Cultural Inclusion Educator, Consultant and Activist | Meeting Slides (PDF) |
| Workshop with Ilsa Govan, Social Justice Advocate and Author | Summary |
| DEIB & Ally Skill Building with Ilsa Govan | Detailed Recap |
| Making Your PTA More DEI Training | Official WSPTA Training – Materials provided to those in attendance Summary |
| PTSA Immigrant & Ally Support Night | Summary |
| Workshop with Dr. Courtney Wooten, Talking to People Across Divide | Slides Recap |
| Equity Within The Networks NA’EEMAH WEBB | Slides |
| Workshop partnering with Issaquah PTSA featuring Ilsa Govan Handout | Slides |
2024-2025 Meeting Documents
| Topic | Additional Info |
|---|---|
| DE&I Overview and Discussion | Meeting slides (PDF) |
| Every Child Belongs: Creating Inclusive Playgrounds Together with Na’eemah Webb & Pablo Ortega of LWSD Equity & Family Engagement | Meeting slides (PDF) |
| Foundations of Social Justice: A Transformative DEI Workshop with Ilsa Govan, Social Justice Advocate and Author | Meeting recap Pre-Reading/Viewing: Dr. Caprice Hollins’ TEDx Talk: What White People Can Do to Move Race Conversations Forward and Social Justice Checklist for Schools (PDF) |
| Breaking Barriers: Understanding Systemic Racism with Ilsa Govan, Social Justice Advocate and Author | Meeting recap Meeting slides (PDF) |
| Standing Strong for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging with Ilsa Govan, Social Justice Advocate and Author | Meeting recap Meeting slides (PDF) Handout (PDF) Video referenced in slides (YouTube) |
| Building Bridges Toward Belonging with Courtney Wooten, Equity & Cross-Cultural Inclusion Educator, Consultant and Activist | Meeting recap Meeting slides (PDF) |
| Advancing Inclusion in Evolving Times with Ilsa Govan, Social Justice Advocate and Author | Meeting recap Meeting slides (PDF) Pre-Reading (PDFs): Small Works by Sarah Lazarovic and Advancing Racial Equality: Legal Guidance for Advocates from the Othering & Belonging Institute (UC Berkeley) |
| Defining and Defending Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging | Meeting recap Meeting slides (PDF) DEIB Definitions (PDF) Pre-Reading (PDFs): Belonging: A Conversation about Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion by Krys Burnette and Don’t Give Up on DEI by Scot Nakagawa |
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Updates
- DEIB Committee Meeting & Workshop Summary: 3-4-26
- DEI Training Recap
- PTSA Immigrant & Ally Support Night
- Immigrant and Ally Support
- Building Bridges: How Our Schools are Championing Financial Equity
- DEIB Committee Meeting & Workshop Summary: 1-7-26
- DEIB Committee Meeting & Workshop Summary
Local & Council PTA Resources
- LWPTSA Council Resource Guide for Heritage/Cultural/International Nights (PDF)
- Sample PTA DEI Plans: Example 1 | Example 2 (PDF)
- DEI Book List (PDF)
- DEIB Definitions (PDF)
- Cultural Calendar With Related Book Recommendations (PDF)
National PTA Resources
- Building a More Diverse, Equitable and Inclusive PTA
- LGBTQ Community Inclusivity in PTA
- LGBTQ Glossary, 2020 (PDF)
- PTA Local Leader Guidance for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, 2020 (PDF)
- How to Engage Underrepresented Groups
- Training: Turn Your Commitment to DEI Into Action (YouTube video)
- Learning Series: 10 Minutes to PTA the Transformative Way (YouTube videos)
National PTA Statements
National PTA Position Statements are official documents outlining the opinion, will or intent of the association and require national action to seek resolution on the issue.
- Say Their Names: Addressing Institutional or Systemic Racism (PDF)
- Inclusive Curricula in K-12 Education (PDF)
Questions?
Please contact Diversity {at} LWPTSA.net.